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The Galápagos are consistently ranked among the best overall dive sites in the world. The combination of cool and warm water ocean currents, geographic isolation, and high protection make the Galápagos Islands one of the world's most complex—and biologically interesting—oceanic archipelagos. The Galápagos marine ecosystem boasts an astounding level of species diversity, richness, and endemism, which means that divers can enjoy macro-sized delights—like the gobies and blennies common throughout the islands but found nowhere else in the world—and unforgettable panoramic seascapes speckled with giant schools of tropical fish, rays, and hammerheads. The most frequented dive sites are Gordon Rocks, Daphne Minor, North Seymour, Floreana (Devil's Crown, Champion, and Enderby), Cousin's Rock, and Academy Bay .
Many of the cruise boats offer scuba-diving packages in conjunction with general tours, either organized autonomously—with equipment and guide available onboard—or in partnership with dive shops in port towns. Although each boat with scuba-capacity has slightly different policies regarding the accommodation of its diver passengers, most offer one of four dive plans: a pre-arranged number of immersions included in the price of the cruise package; a variable number of dives organized and paid for individually through onboard personnel; day scuba-tours arranged with local dive shops; or week-long live-aboard scuba tours. Since each option has advantages and disadvantages, it is important to identify which type of dive experience fits most closely with individual expectations.
• Pre-arranged dive packages are probably the most economical option, since many boat owners offer discounted prices for multiple dives. However, since dives are non-refundable, unexpected changes in passenger attitude, comfort, or health could result in lost dives.
• Boats will also organize immersions for scuba-certified passengers on an individual basis, acquiring equipment and making schedule changes as needed. This option allows for a great deal of passenger flexibility, but requires clear communication with crew members and/or the naturalist guide about when and where the dive will be completed, since a dive may be scheduled during another activity or at an already-determined snorkel site.
• If a cruise boat lacks the infrastructure for scuba-diving, it can arrange for passengers to join a day scuba-tour offered by a local dive center. Day scuba-diving packages—which include two immersions at one dive site and full equipment rental—last until the early afternoon, so cruisers will probably miss any morning activity planned onboard. Furthermore, this option is only available when cruise anchor points coincide with port towns (where passengers can pick up the tour) or the dive site chosen by the center (some of which will agree to pick passengers up).
• Ultimate dive aficionados wanting to see the Galápagos from a primarily underwater perspective can book a live-aboard scuba tour to the outlying islands of Darwin and Wolf. This option offers the best possibility for seeing rare tropical fish, schools of hammerhead sharks, and the elusive whale shark, but it also excludes any terrestrial touring.
A good compromise for travelers with some extra vacation time is to arrange a few daily dive tours from Puerto Ayora or San Cristóbal either before or after a tour. This option provides visitors with comprehensive land and marine experiences.
Although any certified diver is permitted to explore the exciting underwater world of the Galápagos, strong surge, a dramatic thermocline, and unpredictable conditions may place the difficulty level of certain dive sites outside of an inexperienced diver's comfort constraints. For safety and weight-checking purposes, dive shops organizing day trips will require that all divers complete a check-dive either in Academy Bay or in a shallow, sandy spot near the dive site. Unfortunately, Divemasters guiding immersions from cruise ships do not always follow these safety precautions, so it is your responsibility to recognize your own capabilities and dive—or sit out on the boat—accordingly.
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